Juice extractor or like article



Nov. 5, 1940. s. O STERMAN JUICE EXTRACTOR OR LIKE ARTICLE Filed May 4, 1939 iii - INVENTQR flMl/fl OJ'TERMAN ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1940 PATENT OFFICE JUICE EXTRACTOR R LIKE. ARTICLE Samuel Osterman, New York, N. Y.

Application May 4, 1939, Serial No. 271,691

1 Claim.

This invention relates to juice extractors, hereinafter referred to as ,dejuicers, and more particularly is directed to a sanitary device or household utensil for serving, by a squeezing or crushing action, extracted juices as .a condiment or flavor for foods and beverages in preparing and during a repast, as for example, a device for squeezing sliced lemons, or the like, without contacting with the hands, to provide directly therefrom flavoring juice.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved sanitary device or household utensil of the character described which shall comprise few and simple parts that are easily assembled to form an attractively appearing kitchen and table article, which shall be easy and convenient to manipulate, and which shall be practical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the possible illustrative embodiments of the invention and modifications thereof,

Fig. l is a sectional view showing-a juice extractor or dejuicer constructed to embody the invention adapted to serve lemon juice expressed from lemon slices, the gripper jaws thereof being shown in dotted lines when in a contracted position, and the strainer also being shown in dotted lines in a released Open position.

Fig. 1a. is a perspective view showing the housing or yoke frame of the improved dejuicer.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the improved 0 juice extractor or dejuicer shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view as seen from a cut taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of juice extractor or dejuicer embodying the invention, partly broken away to expose the interior construction, and in part shown in dotted lines for illustrating the method of releasing the strainer.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the modification shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a front elevational view of one of the two parts forming the juice extractor or dejuicer body'shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing another modification embodying the invention.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the modified construction of juice extractor or dejuicer shown 5" in Fig. 8, and

' Fig. 9a is a front elevational view of one of the two parts forming the juice extractor or dejuicer body shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring in detail to the drawing I0 denotes a sanitary device or household utensil embodying the invention constructed for serving by squeezing or crushing action extracted juice as a condiment or flavor for foods and beverages, as for example, the provision of lemon juice direct from 15 sliced lemons on fish, or'the like juice as a flavor for tea or in the preparation of lemonade, and is particularly adapted for individual use during a repast at the tableas well as for the preparation of meals in the kitchen. The improved con- 20 struction of the device or "dejuicer I0 not only provides an attractive household utensil as a convenient accessory to the setting of the tableware, but also has a sanitary appeal for servin fresh lemon juice directly from sliced lemons 25 andthe like juices as required. a

The -dejuicer I0 may be made of any suitable material, such as Lucite, glass, porcelain or a suitable cellulose acetate, or pheno-condensate, preferably being molded. In the form here 30 shown, said dejuicer III is of sufficient transparent construction to readily permit observation of the extraction or squeezing action in the manner heretofore described.

The dejuicer III as seen from Figs. 1 and 1a 35 may comprise a frame housing oryoke II preferably molded in one transparent piece, having spaced substantially acute-angled circle sector shaped sides IIa. E'dges Nb of each side He are tapered to extend from an arcuate or curved 4 edge Ho and are joined in a rounded apex lId, said sides Ila, being rigidly aligned in a superimposed spaced relation by a saddle strap I2 which joins the rounded apices Nd and bands I3 and I4 spaced'from each other and-from the 4 saddle strap I2. Said sides Ha, strap I2 and bands I3 and I4 form the frame member or yoke I I into a rigid housing, as shown in'Fig. la. The

strap I2 and bands I3 and I4 as thus seen not only hold the sides Ila in spaced alignment re- 50' lation but are preferably formed integral therewith, as molded braces in the yoke frame II.

Mounted for swinging movement on a suitable hinge or pivot including'a rivet I5 which extends through the apices Ild is a pair of gripper jaws 55 corrugations or teeth id and closed position, the hook 20 and retains the strainer I8 in position for l6 and ll. Said jaws may be of identical molded construction, shape, size and contour, the contour preferably corresponding to that of the side edges ll b so that when said jaws l6 and IT are in their extended position they coincide substantially in outline with the edges Ill) and when moved toward each other in close position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, they present a bowed structure for retaining squeezed or crushed lemon slices or the like (not shown) therebetween. The gripper jaws l6 and I! may be made of a width to neatly fit and swing freely between the space frame sides Ha, said width preferably being sufiicient to allow clearance of the thumb and forefinger of the hand of the user during the manipulation of said jaws l6 and I1. Said gripper jaws l6 and H are formed at one end of each with suitable hinge parts 16a and i la, respectively, for pivoting on rivet IS, the free ends lEb and Nb of the jaws l6 and H, respectively, being adapted to swing along a path just short of the arcuate edge llc of the sides, I la. The rivet l5 may be of metal, such as stainless steel, Monel or other material having resistant properties to the effect of the juice being extracted.

Midway between the hinge parts I61; and Ila and the free ends l6b and [1b on the outer surface of each gripper jaw l6 and I1, respectively, are suitable finger rests l 60 and Ho. These rests provide against slipping of the fingers and are shaped and finished to provide comfortable finger grips for manipulating said jaws.

Along the inner surfaces of jaws l6 and l1, "(1 are provided to prevent slippage of the material being dejuiced.

It should be noted that the yoke ll forms a frame having adjacent openings between the sides Ila through which access is had for manipulating the jaws l6 and I1 within the yoke. There also is an opening between said sides I la along the path of movement of the free ends of the jaws l6 and I1 which serves as an outlet for the device.

Where it is desirable to retain pulp, seeds and other loose particles from the material from which the juice is being extracted, from falling or dripping into the food or beverage, a suitable strainer l8 having through perforations l8a may be provided, said strainer being shaped to conform to the contour of the edge llc Ila. and may be pivoted at one end l8b on rivet l9 adjacent to the band M at the junction of one of the edges llb with the edge He. Said rivet l9 may be made of material similar to that described above for rivet IS. The free end of the strainer [8 may be provided with a hook l8c which latches with a suitable engaging ledge 20 extending from an outer edge of the band [3 so that when the strainer I8 is moved to the l8c engages the ledge of the sides holding any loose material from passing during the manipulation of the jaws l6 and I1.

The gripper members l6 and I1 and strainer l8 may be made of the same transparent material as that of the yoke II, or if desired may be made of an opaque plastic, metal or Bakelite of contrasting finish with respect to the yoke II. The contours of the sides of the yoke II and the jaws l6 and I! may also be formed of any pleasing design in straight, curved or of a composition outline such as shown in Fig. 1.

' The operation and utility of applicants invention will now be apparent. After molding the frame yoke ll, preferably as a single structure, the identical jaws l6 and I1, and strainer [8, the jaws l6 and l! are mounted for swinging movement within the yoke on the rivet l5. It is desirable to provide a suitable spring 2| fitted between the hinged ends Mia and Na and around the rivet I5 for pressing said jaws to their extended position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. The saddle strap l2 or any other suitable means may be provided for confining the movement of said jaws l6 and l! within the limits of the side edges I I0.

When the device of lemon, such a I is used for squeezing slices slice (not shown) is inserted between the yoke sides H0, and the jaws l6 and I! with said jaws in their extended position in any well understood manner. By grasping the device l0 with the thumb and forefinger on the finger grips I60 and l 10 of the jaws l6 and I1, the jaws are pressed towards each other against the action of spring 2|, the free ends I61) and llb of the jaws l6 and I1 being directed towards the place where the juice is desired. The saddle strap I2 is thus seen to serve as a shield so as not to pinch anything in the hinged ends of the jaws l6 and J7 and particularly protects the web of the users hand between the forefinger and the thumb.

When it is desired to provide the device III with a strainer for the extracted juices, the same may be applied by pivoting the strainer end l8b on the rivet l9 and releasably locking the hook I80 on the free end of the strainer on the projecting ledge 20. The strainer 18 may be swung open for inserting or removing the material being dejuiced I and is latched during the dejuicing process.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 there is shown the modified form of juice extractor H0 constructed to embody the invention. Here instead of having a rigid yoke H as in the construction of the device l0, jaw members I I6 and l l! are provided with spaced side extension portions 611, H6!) and HM, ll1b, respectively. These portions serve to enclose the material being .dejuiced and provides a simpler and consequently cheaper construction than that shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive, above described, where a yoke is employed.

The juice extractor ,ll0 as seen from Figs. 5 and 6 has the jaw members H6 and H1 hinged together at one end on a suitable rivet ll5. A suitable spring .l2l may be provided for resiliently holding the jaws in their extended position. Suitable means for limiting the outward movement of the jaws away from each other may be provided and as here shown, .such means may be in the form of stop projections I22 adjacent the hinge. Each of the jaw members H6 and ll 1 has its side extension portions ll6a, ll6b and llla,'ll7b, respectively, of unequal size and as seen from Fig. 6, the smaller side ll6a is adapted to swing in close proximity to the wide extension portion ll'lb while the narrow side I l'la is adapted to swing in close proximity-to the wider side 611. By providing this inequality in the sizes of the extension portions, the main portions of the jaws between the extension portions llBa, llBb and Ta, 1b are permitted to be swung in closer relation than would otherwise be possible. These jaw members H6 and 1 II! with their respective extension portions, as shown from Fig. '7, are preferably each made of one transparent molded piece and are identical in size, shape and contour. 1

The jaw members ll 6 and ,lllmay each be provided with finger grips H60 and H10, respectively, on their outer surfaces, and the inner surfaces of said members may be provided with corrugations or teeth H6d and H'ld, respectively, to prevent slippage of the material being dejuiced.

With the form of the construction for the juice extractor i it described above, a strainer H8 may be provided with suitable through perforations H8a. This strainer may be hinged on a pivoted rivet H9, as shown in Fig. 5, the free end of said strainer being provided with a hook end H8c which is adapted to pass through the slotted opening 68 in the jaw H6 which is similar to the corresponding slot opening H'le provided in the jaw H? which permits the free movement of the pivoted end of the strainer H8 on the rivet H9, as shown in Fig. 5.

The juice extractor H is used in the manner similar to that described above for the juice extractor it with the exception that in order to release the strainer H8, the jaws H6 and H! are gently swung apart until the hook H8 is released, as is clearly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5.

In Figs. 8 to 941, inclusive, another modification of juice extractor 2l0 embodying the invention, is shown. This, like juice extractor H 0, is of a simple and cheap construction.

The juice extractor 2H] is also constructed without a rigid yoke for assembling the jaw members 2I6 and 2i! and distinguishes from the construction of the juice extractor H0, described above, by having each jaw formed with only a single side extension portion 2I6a and 2H0, respectively, said jaws with their respective extension portions being identical in size, shape and contour. The upper ends of these extension portions are hinged together on a pivoting rivet 2I5 and the said portions 2l6a and HM are held in their aligned positions by a suitable spring 22l as is clearly shown in Figs. 8 and-9.

Suitable stop means 222 at the hinges may be provided for limiting the outward movement of said members. Said members 216 and 2H are provided with suitable finger gripping means 2l6c and 2 110 on their outer surfaces and corrugations or teeth 2 "id and Zl'ld on the inner surfaces, similar to those described above for juice extractors l0 and H0.

Where it is desired to have a strainer 2l8 incorporated in the construction of the juice extractor 2lll, the same may be provided with through perforations 2| 8a, as shown in Fig. 8, said strainer 218 being pivoted at one end on the jaw member 2|! on a pivoted rivet M9 and may releasably engage the jaw member 2H3 by means of the hook end 2l8c, said hook end passing through a slot 2l6e which corresponds to a similar slot 2H6 in which the hinged end 2l8b of the strainer freely swings. The juice extractor 2l0 is manipulated in the same manner described above for juice extractor l0.

When these juice extractors Ill, H0 and 2| 0 are finger manipulated to squeeze or crush a slice of lemon, they are so shaped that they form a bowed structure to retain the material therebetween and when strainers are used, only the juice is permitted to pass through these juice extractors. As seen from the drawing, the juice extractors embodying the invention are neat and attractive in appearance and form a desirable accessory for the table or aid in preparing food for service in the kitchen in a sanitary manner. The devices are also simply constructed and easily manipulated and when used as above described, enclose the material being dejuiced. so as to be squirt-proof no matter how carelessly handled.

As seen from the drawing, the similarly constructed jaws l6 and I7, or H6 and H1, or 2H5 and 2H each have squeezer portions that are bow shaped and formed with convexed exterior surfaces, each carrying a finger seat I60, He, or H60, H10, or M60, 2110, respectively, and formed with concaved interior surfaces each provided with corrugations Hid, Ild, or H6d, H'Id, or 2l6d, Zlld, respectively, which serve as friction means for the purposes above described.

If desired, each of the jaws l6, l1, H6, H1, 2H6 and 2|! may be cut away at the free ends at thereof to prevent the ready draining of the extracted juice from between said jaws.

It will thus be seen that there is provided means whereby the several objects of this invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth .or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

A device of the character described including two squeezer jaws hinged'together at one end for co-action to permit moving the free ends towards and away from each other, said jaws inwardly curved toward each other forming a bowed structure for gripping and retaining an article being dejuiced therebetween, means on the exterior of each of said jaws midway said hinged and. free ends for finger manipulation, and strainer means extending along the path of movement of the free ends of said jaws displaceable from itseffective position to permit insertion of the article to be dejuiced between said jaws, and means oooperative with said jaws and located adjacent the edges thereof to prevent the juice from squirting laterally and to positively direct said juices toward said free ends.

SAMUEL OSTERMAN. 

